Written by Chuck Swindoll, these encouraging devotional thoughts are published seven days per week.
Read Revelation 3:7
What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open. (Revelation 3:7)
If you’re struggling with a closed door, I have four guidelines to share with you—guidelines that have helped me in my own process of dealing with the doors Christ has opened and closed.
Read Job 28:24
For he looks throughout the whole earth and sees everything under the heavens. (Job 28:24)
Our idea of the will of God is often that He leads as we would lead and plans as we would plan.
But that’s not the case. His will is not like that at all. In fact, here are four simple principles we need to keep in mind regarding God’s leading.
First: God’s preferred method is surprise. So expect surprises. I repeat, surprises are the rule, not the exception.
Read Proverbs 5:21; Job 28:24; Psalm 139:3
For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. (Proverbs 5:21)
In the mystery of God’s will we sometimes come to a place where we cannot explain why things turned out as they did; yet, amazingly, we are still right in the middle of His will. It’s not that you or I created a problem; it’s that God is in the process of surprising His people on a regular basis. The Scriptures are full of stories like this.
Read Psalm 24:3–5; 1 Peter 1:14–16
Who may climb the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the LORD’s blessing and have a right relationship with God as their savior. (Psalm 24:3–5)
Read Lamentations 3:25–26, 28
The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. (Lamentations 3:25–26)
If you want to trust Him to remember you, first, stop running and start waiting! “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him” (Lamentations 3:25 NASB). Stop running! Wait patiently.
Read Lamentations 3:21–24
Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” (Lamentations 3:21–24)
Read Ephesians 2:4–5
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loves us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) (Ephesians 2:4–5)
Read Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;toI will advise you with My eye upon you. (Psalm 32:8 NASB)
In Psalm 32 we find a dialogue between David and the Lord.
Read Romans 12:2
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
God’s sovereignty. A mysterious doctrine at times, but one with great relevance for our lives. Not just something for scholars and theologians to argue over.
Read Romans 11:33, 34–36
For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. (Romans 11:34–36)
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